Prime Minister James Marape has offered land in a special economic zone in Papua New Guinea for interested Israeli businesses.
Marape extended the invitation to Israel Manufacturers Association to engage in business opportunities in PNG, hours after touching down in Tel Aviv on Monday.
“I would like to offer you land. As you give us land for our Embassy here, we would like to offer you land, not just for your mission in Port Moresby, but a big piece of land for a Special Economic Zone for Israeli businesses to take residence in our country to do business, to mount your satellite, and do business,” said Marape.
The Prime Minister flew to Israel to open PNG’s newest Embassy in Jerusalem.
While there, Marape spoke strongly about PNG’s resources in the oil, gas and mining space and sustainable resources in Forestry, Agriculture, and Fisheries.
“We have natural resources in oil and gas, and in our forestry, fisheries and agriculture. We have more than enough land for you to come in and start your businesses, and I am willing to give you tax-free incentives,”said Marape.
He said with PNG’s geographical location in relation to Asia and its thriving markets, Israeli businesses would do well for themselves to invest in Papua New Guinea.
“We are closest to the Asian markets. We are linked to many Asian countries at a government-to-government level. That is the competitive advantage we have over many other countries,” said Marape.
“Together, we can produce, label these as Israel-PNG produce, and export to the world. PNG is close to the Asian market than you are from Israel,” said Marape.
Israel’s main export commodity item has been High Technology Industries offering solutions to improve business, trade and investment, health, agriculture and education .
Senior Advisor on International Relations at the Manufacturers Association of Israel and President of the Federation of Binational Chambers of Commerce, Dan Catarivas said Israeli’s economic has advanced in the last 75 years.
In terms of business establishments in Papua New Guinea, Israel has invested in the Innovation Agriculture and Farming businesses in Port Moresby, East Sepik and the Highlands Region.
With these established businesses, Marape says PNG could partner with Israel to improve how business is managed and operated..
The delegation that accompanied Prime Minister Marape include State Ministers and senior government officials.
